A routine physical examination (P.O. test) is one of the first things a doctor will do if you have symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You may be wondering what kind of exam is required. Well, here are the different tests a doctor will perform during a routine examination.
First, acyclovir or an anti-perfusion antibiotic is given. In most cases, this type of medicine is given intravenously. If you don’t get test for chlamydia or gonorrhea first, acyclovir or an anti-perfusion antibiotic will be prescribed by your doctor as well. These medicines will work to kill any bacteria that may be living in your urinary tract or blood stream. Urinary tract infections are the leading cause of STDs like gonorrhea and chlamydia.
Next, your doctor will probably do a Pap Smear. A pap smear, or cervical cancer examination, will be conducted to find out if you have cervical cancer or not. A Pap smear is done by taking a small sample of cells from the cervix and examining them under a magnifying glass. If a cancer or other abnormality is found, it will be examined in a lab and will be possible to treat if necessary.
Next, a Pap test will be ordered. If you currently are or have ever had a prior relationship with someone who has ever had a previous STI, your doctor will request that you get tested for it, too. The pap smears will help determine if you are positive or negative. A positive result indicates that you may have cervical cancer, genital warts or some other STD. A negative result, however, means that you either do not have an STD or that you are free of having one.
If you are ever diagnosed with any STD, your physician will give you treatment options. Some of these options include medications, medical procedures and surgery. You may even be referred to an STD clinic, where doctors will conduct a pelvic exam and discuss treatment options with you. Your primary care physician will probably discuss which option is best for you, as well. If you are pregnant or might become pregnant, your physician will probably discuss options with your reproductive health provider.
If you plan to get pregnant, your pregnancy tests will be done first. This is so you can make sure that the test is clear and that your pregnancy is progressing normally. Once your pregnancy test is clear, your physician will likely recommend that you get a Pap smear to see if you have any abnormal cells. Then, he or she will probably recommend that you get regular pap smears to monitor your progress throughout your pregnancy. Regular sti tests and Pap smears are important parts of planning for planned parenthood.